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2010 Ferrari 458 Italia - Web Exclusive

While every Ferrari is innovative by definition, it's equally true that in the course of the Prancing Horse's history, certain cars have marked a genuine departure from the current range. This is very much the case with the Ferrari 458 Italia, which is a massive leap forward from the company's previous mid/rear-engined sports cars.The new model is a synthesis of style, creative flair, passion and cutting-edge technology, characteristics for which Italy is well known. For this reason, Ferrari chose to add the name of its homeland to the traditional figure representing the displacement and number of cylinders.The Ferrari 458 Italia is a completely new car from every point of view: engine, design, aerodynamics, handling, instrumentation and ergonomics, to name a few.

A two-seater berlinetta, the Ferrari 458 Italia benefits hugely from the company's Formula 1 experience. This is particularly evident in the speed and precision with which the car responds to driver inputs and in the attention focused on reducing internal friction in the engine for lower fuel consumption than the F430, despite the fact that both overall displacement and power have increased. However, Ferrari's track experience makes its presence felt in the 458 Italia not only in terms of pure technological transfer but also on a more emotional level, because of the strong emphasis on creating an almost symbiotic relationship between driver and car. The 458 Italia features an innovative driving environment with a new kind of steering wheel and dashboard that is the direct result of racing practice. Once again input from Michael Schumacher - who was involved from the very start of the 458 Italia project - played an invaluable part.

The Pininfarina design provides further evidence of the complete departure from the past. The 458 Italia has a compact, aerodynamic shape, underscoring the concepts of simplicity, efficiency and lightness that inspired the project. As with every Ferrari, the car's styling has been very heavily influenced by aerodynamic efficiency, as can be seen from the downforce of 300 lb at 125mph generated by the new model.

The front features a single opening for the front grille and side air intakes, with aerodynamic sections and profiles designed to direct air to the coolant radiators and the new flat underbody. The nose also sports small aero-elastic winglets which generate downforce and, as speed rises, deform to reduce the section of the radiator inlets and cut drag.

The new 4499cc V8 is the first Ferrari direct injection engine to be mid/rear mounted. It has a very low piston compression height, typical of racing engines, which contributed to achieving its compression ratio of 12.5:1. Equipped with the traditional flat-plane crankshaft, the engine delivers 570hp at 9000rpm, setting a new benchmark not only for the whole Ferrari range and the history of company, but also for the entire market segment. Maximum torque is 398 lb-ft at 6000rpm, over 80% of which is available from 3250rpm. What is extraordinary is the amount of torque available while still maintaining high levels of power at low revs.

The car's soundtrack is also typical Ferrari, with an exciting, powerful growl emerging from the engine before it channels through to the exhaust's three rear tailpipes.The 458 Italia is equipped with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which increases performance whilst providing very smooth shifts even at full throttle. The engineers have developed specific, sportier gear ratios to match the power and torque curves of the new V8, guaranteeing high torque even at lower engine speeds and allowing the car to reach its maximum speed in top gear.

This new Ferrari is also a major leap forward when it comes to cutting emissions. Despite the power of the new engine, the 458 Italia produces just 320g/km of CO2 and fuel consumption is 17mpg US (combined cycle), the best in the entire segment.

The engineers also focused on weight reduction during the design phase for similar reasons. Consequently, the Ferrari 458 Italia has a dry weight of 3042 lb with a power-to-weight ratio of 5.35 lb/hp. Weight distribution is also optimal, with 58% over the rear axle.

The result of the engineers' endeavors can be summed up in to two simple statistics which together perfectly encapsulate the Ferrari 458 Italia's exceptional performance: 0-62mph acceleration in under 3.4 seconds and a maximum speed in excess of 202mph.

For the new chassis, once more in aluminum, Maranello's engineers incorporated various types of advanced alloys along with aerospace industry-derived manufacturing and bonding techniques.With regard to vehicle dynamics, the Ferrari 458 Italia's suspension features twin wishbones at the front and a multi-link set-up at the rear tuned for maximum roadholding and handling. Along with a more direct steering ratio, the 458 Italia offers extremely rapid turn-in and body control while maintaining superior ride comfort.

The integration of the E-Diff and F1-Trac (now controlled by the same ECU) and their respective mappings is even greater, resulting in a 32% increase in longitudinal acceleration out of corners compared to previous models. The evolution of the control logic, with even faster and more accurate calculation of levels of grip, ensures even greater roadholding, better handling and ease of control on the limit.

The same ECU also governs the high-performance ABS, providing even more precise control over the logic threshold and greater efficiency. The brakes also feature a pre-fill function, whereby the pistons in the calipers move the pads into contact with the discs on lift-off to minimize delay in the brakes being applied. This, combined with the ABS, has cut the 62-0mph braking distance to a mere 106.6ft.

The Ferrari 458 Italia's interior is another area of the car that exalts its sporty personality. The driver is welcomed by a new layout and a revolutionary ergonomic interface where the main controls are all clustered on the steering wheel.

With the Ferrari 458 Italia, Maranello has brought a highly distinctive new car to its eight-cylinder range. The company now offers two models that share a common, race-derived DNA, both exceptionally sporty and fun to drive in true Ferrari tradition, but aimed at two very different kinds of client. While the Ferrari California was created for owners requiring a more versatile sports car with a practical edge, the 458 Italia is designed for owners for whom the priority is uncompromising on-road performance with occasional track day capability, but who still demand a car that is useable in day-to-day driving.